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Canaries Dip Into Flourishing Cuban Talent Pool With Recent Signings

Posted: 4/29/2016

SIOUX FALLS, SD- The Sioux Falls Canaries announced on Friday afternoon that the organization has dipped into the flourishing Cuban talent pool by signing LHP Misael Siverio and infielder Dainer Moreira to a contract for the 2016 season.

Siverio, 26, is a left-handed starting pitcher who holds a 47-39 career record and 3.30 ERA in eight professional seasons. Before defecting from Cuba, Siverio played six seasons for Villa Clara in the Cuban National Series from 2007-12 and posted a 3.24 ERA.

Siverio also played for the Águilas de Mexicali of the Mexican Pacific League during the winter of 2013. He went 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 36 strikeouts in six starts. After his impressive statistical season, Siverio was invited to work out in a showcase for 20 MLB teams, eventually signing a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners organization.

Siverio made 26 starts for the double-A Jackson Generals in 2015, posting a 5-12 record and 4.35 ERA. The South-paw set a new career-high in strikeouts (110) while walking 52 batters, also a career high, in 122 innings of work.

Moreira, 31, spent nine seasons playing in Cuba, as well as a brief, 12-game appearance in the 2015 Puerto Rican Winter League prior to defecting. The Guantanamo, Cuba native holds a .316 career batting average to go along with his 98 doubles, 29 triples and 62 stolen bases.

He is somewhat limited in the power category, hitting just eight home runs in 3,000 at bats, and none since 2012. Over that time, he has driven in 274 runs while adding an eye popping 481 runs scored. Moreira does make up for a lack of power with a good ability to make contact. He has only struck out 175 times in 3,260 plate appearances, or just over five percent of the time.

Playing exclusively at shortstop in Cuba, Moreira has a .961 fielding percentage, making just 150 errors in 754 career games. Moreira also signed a contract with the Seattle Mariners this past off-season, but did not make it out of spring training.

The Sioux Falls Canaries enter their 24th season on May 19th against the Sioux City Explorers at Lewis & Clark Park. The Canaries kick off the 2016 home portion of their schedule on Friday, May 20th with a special presentation from All-Star Fireworks after the game. For more information about season tickets and corporate opportunities, call the Canaries ticket office at (605) 336-6060 or visit www.sfcanaries.com.